Hi, I do both. I didn't go to school for it, I have a BA in Communications. Which doesn't have all that much to do with it. I started in Post, moved to music for awhile (if you can mix a commercial but not an album then booooo) and then back into post. I enjoy the post field more because

1. It is 9-5. Music is ?-?, which makes things like relationships really tough.

2. There is actual money in post. People are directly making money as a result of the work (commercials, films, series etc) as opposed to an indie band releasing an album and selling 100.

3. Post is a normal, professional career. Music can be, but it's drastically more competitive for drastically fewer jobs.

In terms of what you need to know: You need to know Pro Tools. I work in both Pro Tools and Nuendo, but Pro Tools is everywhere and works beautifully. You can pick up Pro Tools pretty cheap at the moment, so do and learn it inside and out. Every quick key, every function. Because when you are billing what post houses bill, you have to be psychotically fast all day every day.

When you are watching films or television, pay attention. Listen to all of te components of what is being presented. Where are the music cues, how are they mixed, are there sound effects? Is there foley? Is there ADR?

Spend some time, if you can, with a boom mic and field recorder, so you can understand where all of your source material is coming from.

You can go to school for this, but you need far more grounding and experience to be even remotely employable. Onc you know Pro Tools start finding filmakers and video kids and mixing for them for nothing. Your reel is your career.

Music schools are pumping out thousands of graduates every year, and you have to compete against every single one that aimed for the post industry. You need to know your shit cold and be able to talk to clients like a professional.